Global law firm Baker McKenzie has announced that highly regarded litigators David Baay, Jack Massey, Kelsey Machado, Ian Shelton and Matthew (Matt) Rawlinson have joined the Firm in Houston. The team advises clients on a range of commercial disputes and investigations, bringing decades of experience defending multinational companies on major claims, particularly in the energy sector. The group will join the Firm’s North America Litigation and Government Enforcement Practice and its Global Disputes Practice.
"We are thrilled to add this outstanding team of litigators to our Houston office,” said Widge Devaney, Chair of Baker McKenzie’s North America Litigation and Government Enforcement Practice. “Energy companies and other multinationals are facing more litigation risk and exposure than ever before, in addition to increased regulatory scrutiny. David, Jack, Kelsey, Ian, and Matt are seasoned litigators and trusted advisors who are well known in the industry and bring the nuanced perspective that only comes with decades of experience in high-stakes disputes.”
David has been representing energy companies, both as defendants and plaintiffs, in significant commercial disputes for over two decades. He also has extensive experience advising clients on pre-suit investigations and impending litigation exposure and is a known authority on the litigation risks surrounding greenwashing claims, PFAS litigation, and fraudulent carbon tax credit transactions. He represents multinational energy companies, pipeline operators, oilfield service companies, utilities, multi-commodity traders, and multinational industrial services companies, among others.
Additionally, David is qualified as a Panelist on the American Arbitration Association (AAA) National Roster of Arbitrators. He has handled numerous arbitrations as an advocate involving the interpretation of master service agreements, partnership disputes, shareholder claims and claims involving the interpretation of agreements related to the distribution of biodiesel credits.
Jack represents clients throughout the energy and infrastructure industries in litigating high-stakes disputes, conducting internal investigations, and dealing with compliance issues. His clients include international energy companies, renewables developers, commodities trading firms, midstream operators, EPC and oilfield services contractors, chemicals and plastics companies, utilities, and banks. He has tried and arbitrated cases throughout the United States. On the investigative and white collar-side, Jack has represented individuals and companies in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, False Claims Act, fraud, and whistleblower matters. Finally, Jack advises companies on compliance with U.S. energy regulations and crisis response, a practice he developed as part of Transocean's investigation and trial team following the Macondo incident.
Kelsey represents clients on a wide range of commercial matters and has built a reputation as a proficient litigator capable of managing energy, construction, and business disputes in various jurisdictions across the US. She has represented multi-national energy corporations, EPC companies, drilling contractors, midstream pipeline operators, energy efficiency companies, software companies, and various other entities in the energy and construction sectors throughout the litigation process, including trials and arbitration hearings. Kelsey also has extensive experience defending class action lawsuits, is efficient at guiding her clients through discovery, and is skilled at navigating the settlement process.
Ian is an experienced commercial litigator and trial attorney, with a practice that focuses on complex commercial disputes and litigation strategy at the trial and appellate levels. He routinely represents corporate and individual clients in a wide range of areas, including: energy and renewables litigation, class action defense, technology and contract disputes, toxic torts, appeals, administrative and environmental law, cryptocurrency litigation, and construction litigation. He is skilled in crafting practical and business-oriented solutions to seemingly intractable disputes, including in the pre-litigation stage. Ian is licensed in both Texas and California and has assisted his clients in a variety of disputes in state and federal courts and arbitration venues across the country.
Matt brings extensive experience representing companies in complex construction, energy and commercial litigation matters, including upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas disputes, EPC contract disputes, construction defect disputes, alternative energy disputes, insurance and indemnity claims, breach of contract disputes, business torts and other general contractual matters. He has represented clients in many State and Federal courts as well as numerous arbitrations. He also regularly works with EPC companies, investors, energy providers, project developers, underwriters and commodity trading firms to navigate the emerging issues that arise from energy and construction sector contracts.
“As the global energy capital of the world, Houston is the key market for investment and opportunity, particularly as energy transition continues to take center stage,” said Michelle Hartmann, Managing Partner of Baker McKenzie’s Texas Offices. “Adding a team of this caliber to our Houston office solidifies our commitment to the market as we bring our full service, global offerings to companies doing business here.”
The group joins Baker McKenzie’s thriving Houston team, which recently moved into a new office space at the Bank of America Tower, a 35-story, 780,000 sq. ft., Class A office tower downtown. Baker McKenzie has been in Houston for more than 25 years.
Colin Murray, Baker McKenzie’s North America Chief Executive Officer, added, “We continue to see enormous opportunity in Houston and are focused on continued growth in the market. This standout team brings a wealth of experience, a proven track record and impeccable credentials, which will further elevate our offerings for clients in the Houston area and beyond.”
“Energy transition represents the biggest change to the industry in a generation,” said Jose Moran, Chair of the Firm’s US Energy, Mining & Infrastructure Group. “At the same time, the scale of regulatory and legal developments in this space is unprecedented. Our clients need trusted advisers with a full-scale view of this evolving landscape so that they can mitigate risk and take advantage of business opportunities. David, Jack, Ian, Matt and Kelsey are a powerhouse litigation team and will enhance our capabilities as the go-to law firm for energy companies that need a global view matched with local perspective and expertise.”
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